Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original German WWII Reichsdienstflagge, or State Service Flag, in the large regulation 200cm x 335cm size. It is constructed from a single large piece of wool with the central mobile swas, black and white border treatment, and Reich eagle canton printed or dyed directly into the fabric. The flag shows clear evidence of extended outdoor service and has stretched with age to approximately 74" x 135".

The design consists of a red field with the central mobile swas enclosed by contrasting black and white borders, while the upper hoist corner carries a German Reichsadler. This pattern was used by German state and governmental authorities during the Third Reich period and was also employed on government vessels that were not commissioned warships.

The flag has a substantial white canvas hoist reinforced for prolonged use. An internal rope halyard runs through the header and terminates in a loop at the upper end, where an additional rope fitting and snap clip are installed. At the lower end, approximately 64" of the halyard extends beyond the flag.

Both ends of the canvas header are reinforced, while the fly corners are strengthened with cotton triangular patches and multiple rows of stitching. The heavy reinforcement is consistent with a flag intended for repeated outdoor use, including possible maritime or other exposed service.

The original regulation dimensions are approximately:

200cm x 335cm
78.7" x 131.9"

which correspond to a Size 8 flag in period German naval flag tables. The present wool body has stretched through use and age and now measures approximately:

74" x 135"

The large dimensions place it within a size class suitable for substantial government or naval vessels, though no specific vessel provenance accompanies this flag and its exact wartime place of use is unknown.

Overall condition is very good for a large service used wool flag. The fabric shows general age toning, scattered staining, and several areas where holes have worn through from extended use. The canvas header, halyard, reinforcement stitching, and fly corner strengthening remain present and provide clear evidence of the flag’s heavy duty construction.

With its large Size 8 dimensions, printed wool construction, reinforced canvas hoist, surviving rope halyard and hardware, heavily reinforced fly corners, and service worn appearance, this is a strong example of a German WWII Reichsdienstflagge. The age toning, staining, stretched dimensions, and scattered fabric holes are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in a German government flag, naval flag, state service insignia, large format textile, or advanced WWII flag collection.

More on the State Service Flag:
With a deep understanding of pageantry and symbolism, and its propaganda and psychological effectiveness, the NSDAP went to great lengths to reinforce their political party to the general populace of Germany, with repetitive slogans and the omnipresent use of the swas. Swass adorned flags, banners and pennants and were utilized at every possible opportunity. Originally the State Service Flag was introduced in the Weimar era in 1921 and consisted of three horizontal bars in black, white and red with smaller horizontal bars of black, red and yellow inset in the canton with a black national eagle positioned slightly off-center.

On March 13TH 1933 the first Third Reich era State Service Flag was introduced and was designated, Dienstflagge der Reichsbehörden zur See (Service Flag of the National Authorities at Sea), but the original designation was altered to Reichsdienstflagge, (State Service Flag) on June 6TH 1933. The 1933 pattern flag followed the basic design of its predecessor with three horizontal bars in black, white and red with a black national eagle positioned in the center.

On October 31ST 1935 a second pattern State Service Flag was introduced and was first flown on November 7TH 1935. Regulations dictated that the State Service Flag was to be utilized by all public administrative government authorities and was to be flown on their buildings, on inland waterways and the high seas vessels and service vehicles as required. The regulations also extended use of the State Service Flag to the authorities of the Reichsbahn, (National Railways), the Reich autobahn, (National Highways), and the Reichsbank, (National Bank).